Signup for e-briefings

Major U.S. employers want to prevent market uncertainty that discourages research and investment, and risks U.S. market leadership in clean transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The biggest groups representing America’s auto parts makers, advanced materials manufacturers, and emission control companies are joining forces to voice their support for consistent emissions and fuel-economy standards for light-duty vehicles such as passenger cars and pickup trucks.

The Automotive Technology Leadership Group (ATLG), an informal alliance of the nation’s leading automotive supplier and emission control company organizations, is a fresh voice for industry input into the rule-making process. These organizations agree that it is in the nations’ best interests to continue leading the development and manufacture of the cleanest and most efficient vehicles in the world. You can read their statement of principles here.

“Long-term emissions and fuel economy standards will help suppliers sustain the strong manufacturing growth we have seen in the industry and will support innovation of new technologies,” said Ann Wilson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “This stability allows suppliers to remain competitive in a global marketplace. If the U.S. leads the way on the standards, then companies manufacturing here will also lead the way on development and innovation.”

The ATLG consists of MEMA, the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA), The Aluminum Association, the Advanced Engine Systems Institute (AESI) and The Emission Control Technology Association (ECTA), who have come together to ensure that the U.S. is a leader in light-duty fuel economy and emission standards, which allow for companies to remain competitive and invest in development of new technologies. Significantly changing established targets for model years 2021-2025 could put this at risk.

“Our industry is prepared to do its part to deliver cost-effective, advanced emission control and efficient propulsion technologies to the market,” said Dr. Rasto Brezny, Executive Director of MECA. “But we need to know the targets in order to make investments in research and manufacturing that lead to more jobs and more innovation. The sooner we have certainty on national fuel economy and GHG policies, the better.”

The multi-stakeholder alliance is calling for engagement among the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, automakers, technology and materials suppliers, the State of California and other relevant stakeholders to ensure clear and predictable standards that allow companies to continue investing with confidence.

“The U.S. aluminum industry has committed or invested more than $2.6 billion dollars in U.S. manufacturing facilities over the past 5 years to help support growing demand for aluminum in the auto market,” said Heidi Brock, President & CEO of the Aluminum Association. “Continued certainty in the marketplace is vital to ensure that these investments continue which will allow us to support our customers in producing the safest, most fuel-efficient vehicles.”

These organizations and their members represent a significant amount of investment for the U.S. and global economy. The motor vehicle supplier industry contributes nearly 2.4 percent of U.S. GDP and employs 871,000 people, up 19 percent since 2012. The emission control technology market for new light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles in North America was approximately $20 billion in 2017 (as part of an overall global market of $95 billion). The aluminum industry in the United States directly employs 161,000 workers and generates $75 billion in economic activity.

“To continue growing jobs in this sector, and making forward progress on reducing pollution as we have for the last forty years, our companies need a steady path,” said Chris Miller, Executive Director of AESI, a trade association of pollution control and efficiency technology companies. “We want all the regulators to work together and with the stakeholders again so we have clear and stable long-term policy direction that creates market-opportunities for our companies to develop and deploy advanced-vehicle technologies that will help achieve the nation's energy and environmental goals.”

“Sound environmental policies create jobs and stimulate the economy,” said Tim Regan, president of ECTA. “Consistent fuel economy and emissions standards can breed innovation and spur competition, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs here and opportunities for U.S. suppliers in the global marketplace.”